LAPO Microfinance Bank Limited, in partnership with the World Savings and Retail Banking Institute (WSBI) and First City Monument Bank (FCMB), will convene a three-day Peer-Learning and Africa Region Meeting from September 1 to 3, 2026, bringing together leading financial institutions, policymakers, development partners, climate experts and innovation leaders from across Africa.
The convening, which includes the WSBI Africa Inclusive Climate Conference 2026, will focus on the theme, “Gender-Smart Finance for Climate-Smart Agriculture: Building Inclusive Rural Economies.” It will provide a platform for peer learning, knowledge exchange and strategic dialogue on practical and scalable approaches to advancing gender inclusion, climate finance and agricultural development across Africa.
The three-day engagement will bring together members and partners of the WSBI network to share experiences, examine emerging trends and explore innovative approaches to strengthening financial inclusion and climate resilience, particularly for women, rural communities, farmers and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
A key highlight of the conference will be a high-level Fireside Chat titled “When Capital Meets Climate: Rethinking What Impact Really Means. Building Climate-Resilient MSMEs: An Ecosystem Approach for Inclusive Growth.” The session will explore how capital, partnerships, innovation and enabling policies can work together to strengthen MSME resilience and drive inclusive economic growth.
The conversational format will provide an opportunity for industry leaders to share practical insights on how financial institutions can move beyond traditional measures of impact and develop solutions that respond to the realities of climate change and the needs of underserved communities.
The Africa Region Meeting will further provide a platform for strategic discussions on the future of inclusive finance in Africa, with participants exchanging lessons, identifying opportunities for collaboration and strengthening collective approaches to emerging challenges across the region.
Speaking ahead of the convening, Cynthia Ikponmwosa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, LAPO Microfinance Bank, said: “LAPO MfB remains committed to expanding access to finance that strengthens livelihoods, builds climate resilience and enables underserved communities, particularly women and MSMEs, to thrive.”
Weselina Angelow, Programme Director, World Savings and Retail Banking Institute, said: “WSBI continues to champion peer learning and collaboration across Africa, connecting financial institutions to develop inclusive and scalable responses to climate and economic challenges.”
Also speaking ahead of the event, Mrs. Yemisi Edun, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First City Monument Bank, said: “FCMB is committed to supporting sustainable and inclusive growth by leveraging finance, partnerships and innovation to build more resilient businesses and communities.”
For the organisers, hosting the convening reinforces its commitment to advancing financial inclusion, climate resilience and sustainable economic participation, particularly among women, rural communities and underserved MSMEs.
The three-day engagement is expected to deepen cross-border collaboration, strengthen peer networks and generate actionable insights for financial institutions seeking to build more inclusive, resilient and climate-smart economies across Africa.
